Up the Revolution

Leading historians from three capitals lead revolution-themed week in Russian Revolution centenary commemorations

Historians from Cardiff, London and Moscow are shining a light on the nature of revolution in a series of public talks marking the centenary of the Russian Revolution.

As part of Russia17, a different aspect of revolution will be explored each day from Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February at the University.

Revolution week opens with leading British authority on the Russian revolutions, Professor Geoffrey Hosking in the major public lecture The triumph of distrust: the 1917 revolutions and Soviet society.

In a major highlight, an inspiring round-table debate Thinking about Revolution: Legitimacy, Violence, and Commemoration will see leading historians from three nations focus on why revolutions happen and what past experience might teach us today on Wednesday 15 February.

Among the distinguished line-up are scholars from Queen Mary, University of London, State Academic University for the Humanities, Moscow and Cardiff University. Professor Geoffrey Hosking, Professor Colin Jones, Professor Aleksandra Bakhturina, Professor Evgenii Sergeev and Professor Alexander Tchoudinov join Cardiff’s Professor Mary Heimann, Dr Gavin Murray-Miller and Dr James Ryan for the international event.

Throughout the week, eminent academics from Russia’s leading university will also lead sessions linking Britain, France and Russia a century ago in three further public lectures:

National Identity in Russia in 1917, Britain and the Russian Revolution of 1917 and The Russian Revolution of 1917 in the Mirror of the French Revolution.

Ahead of the week’s events, organiser Dr James Ryan, Lecturer in Modern European History said: “2017 marks the centenary of events in Russia that have had profound effects on the subsequent course of history through much of the world. As a University, we are delighted to share the significance and legacies of the revolutions with our wider community, and to initiate discussion as part of the R17 events across the capital.”

During the week students of modern history at the School will benefit from lectures and seminars led by the visiting scholars.

The eminent Russian historians join the week as part of an Erasmus Plus International Exchange between the University’s School of History, Archaeology and Religion and the State Academic University for the Humanities, Moscow.

Revolution 17 programme

Monday 13 February

The Triumph of Distrust: The 1917 Revolutions and Soviet Society, Professor Geoffrey Hosking (UCL)

Location/time: Main Building (lower ground floor, room -1.123, 18:30-20:00)

Tuesday 14 February

National Identity in Russia in 1917, Professor Aleksandra Bakhturina

Location/time: Glamorgan Building (lower ground floor, room -1.63, 17:00-18:30)

Wednesday 15 February

Thinking about Revolution: Legitimacy, Violence, and Commemoration – roundtable discussion

Location/time: John Percival Building (Lecture theatre 2.01, 15:30 –17:00)

Thursday 16 February

Britain and the Russian Revolution of 1917, Professor Evgenii Sergeev

Location/time: John Percival Building (Room 0.31, 17:00-18:30)

Friday 17 February

The Russian Revolution of 1917 in the Mirror of the French Revolution, Professor Alexander Tchoudinov

Location/time: John Percival Building (Room 0.36, 17:00-18:30)